Detroit schools to expand computer science curriculum by 2021

Detroit Public Schools Community District to buy robots for K-12 computer science education

Quicken Loans fund is sponsoring tech curriculum

Officials hope to build pipeline for tech jobs

More of Detroit's students could be in line to fill technology jobs in Michigan as the public school district gradually introduces computer science education to K-12 classrooms through 2021.

Detroit Public Schools Community District is teaming with Quicken Loans Inc. of Detroit to create a curriculum that could build a pipeline to 14,000 IT vacancies and growing demand for tech skills in Michigan. The plan was announced Tuesday at the CSforAll Summit being hosted this week at Wayne State University.

CSforAll is an education group based in New York that advocates for computer science programs in schools.

Support is coming from Quicken Loans Community Investment Fund. Officials would not disclose how much money is being devoted to program development, but said the company has made a four-year commitment to help expand it to all elementary schools in the district, said Laura Grannemann, QLCIF vice president of strategic investments.

"What we're doing is creating a blueprint. We will start with third to fifth grades to build that foundation and ultimately work alongside the district to bring it to the high schools as well," Grannemann said. "The financial commitment will go toward ensuring students in the classroom have access to robots and CS equipment."

"Exploratory learning" would be integrated into science classes, a news release said. With funding from the Quicken Loans fund, Detroit schools will buy WeDo robots from The Lego Group of Denmark to pilot the program this year with 4,500 third-graders, followed by fourth- and fifth-graders next year. Lego's "Education WeDo 2.0 Core Set," which includes its iconic building bricks and classroom software, lists online for $189.95.

Grannemann said the curriculum is an extension of Quicken Loans' effort to pay for computer science training for 15,000 Detroit schools students announced last year. A kindergarten class will also pilot computer science learning. The computer science coursework is expected to reach all grades by 2021.

The initiative could also help move the needle in STEM diversity for minorities and women. Michigan's colleges saw about 1,800 people graduate with computer science degrees in 2015. Just 16 percent of those graduates were female, according to a news release.

"Detroit Public Schools Community District is committed to providing all students, especially students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, with access to the transformative opportunity of learning computer science as a foundational component of a 21st-century education," DPSCD Superintendent Nikolai Vitti said in the release.

Science teachers and robotics coaches would also get professional development training. While it's not clear how many would be trained or if there will be any new hires, 10 new computer science teachers were trained this summer with help from the Seattle nonprofit Code.org, the release said.

Robotics clubs would also be extended to each school. DCPS, Quicken Loans, First Robotics and Robot Garage will offer the teams funding and mentoring.

"Today's announcement represents an investment in our kids and the future of our city, providing pathways for students to not only fill, but also create, the jobs of tomorrow," Quicken Loans Vice Chairman Bill Emerson said in the release. "Our team members are ready to roll-up their sleeves and help our partners at Detroit Public Schools in any way possible, as we double down on our commitment to provide computer science and STEM education to more than 15,000 Detroit students by 2021."

Crain's has placed a request for more information from the Detroit school district.